Three of the most unlikeliest trekkers on Nine reality series The Summit made it to the top of an icy mountain in New Zealand’s South Island and walked away with major cash prizes.
A fourth trekker, Jans, was cruelly culled in the final episode.
First Nations musician Isaac, 33, from Dubbo, who nearly quit the trek mid series, emerged with the biggest share of a remaining $490,000 kitty, rewarded with $250,000.
10 other cast were eliminated along the hike in a range of votes and tests but were given the power to act as jury, Survivor-style, and decide how the money would be split. As host Jai Courtney told the final trio, “be kind to those on your way up, because you never know who you’re going to meet on your way down”.
Issac said, “To have made it to the top of the summit has been the greatest achievement of my life. I’ve pushed my mind and body to new heights and made some lifelong friends along the way.
“The first thing I’m going to do with the money is buy my mum a new kitchen. Thank you to the teams at Channel 9 and Endemol Shine. You gave me the opportunity to change my life.”
Single Mum and psychology student Brooke, 38 from Adelaide, was awarded $150,000.
“Making it to the top is a massive personal accomplishment for me in more ways than anyone can imagine. The game was gruelling, but I came well prepared with a strategy that took a lot of careful planning each day during the experience.
“To win the money will be life-changing for me. The first thing I will buy is a new car. I’ll put the rest away for a deposit on a house.”
Boxer and mother Lulu, 38, from Fremantle was given the remaining $90,000 after some cast took issue with her decisions to cull them from the contest.
“It means so much to me to be standing on top of the summit. Getting in touch with my grit and determination, chasing the thrills and peaking with excitement. And inspiring my children, family, young girls and women who can do anything. There’s no obstacle too big that we can’t overcome. Anything is possible,” she said.
Across the gruelling 14 day hike, flanked by spectacular scenery, the cast were unaware of reality twists they would face. But that will not escape any future cast should Nine choose to renew the show.
The Summit has also faced something of its own uphill ratings battle, against the likes of Farmer Wants a Wife and MasterChef Australia (from the same production company). Nine remains upbeat about its new format and hopes to see it sold internationally.
In Total TV numbers the show has averaged 720,000.